Background

On February 1, 2016 the World Health Organization (WHO) declared Zika virus a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. This designation is reserved for public health crises which will have global reach. The first case of zika virus in Jamaica was confirmed on January 29, 2016.

 

Cases of Zika virus in Jamaica

As at December 8, 2016, the Ministry of Health received nine thousand four hundred and twenty (9,420) notifications for the zika virus of which seven thousand two hundred and forty five (7,245) or seventy seven percent (77%) fit the case definition for Zika and were classified as “Suspected Zika”. 

 

Zika and Pregnancy

There were six hundred and thirty nine (639) cases of suspected Zika virus infection in pregnant women reported. Seventy seven (77) of these suspected cases have tested positive.

 

Neurological Complications of Zika Virus Infection 

There were one hundred and fifty (150) notifications for Guillain Barre (paralysis) Syndrome (GBS); thirty seven (37) of these fit the case definition for GBS based on clinical signs, symptoms and investigation results and were deemed suspected cases. Four (4) were zika positive.